Member Article

Tristar Paves the way to Employment for Residents

An employability initiative supporting customers back into work has unveiled figures that demonstrate it is making a positive impact in helping people into work across the Tees Valley.

Pathways - an employability service, launched by Tristar Homes in 2011 - is helping people into work by providing support, advice and training, which has led to 112 people finding jobs.

Its support for people looking to find a job includes a skills assessment, advice on interview techniques, compiling a CV, accessing training and matching up people’s abilities with appropriate careers.

Pathways has also:

Helped 99 customers access trainingSupported 24 apprenticesProvided 35 apprentice work placements for local training provider Nordic PioneerAssisted three residents to access business support, which has led to them becoming self-employed

Tristar, which is part of the Vela Group, has an additional innovative scheme, which while offering learning and personal development opportunities to tenants and residents, also helps supports the resource requirements of its Customer Service Centre.

The ‘Academy’ has offered nine customers and local residents the opportunity to work part-time in Tristar’s Customer Service Centre on a voluntary basis enabling them to gain practical experience.

This is backed with a formal level two qualification delivered by North East Chamber of Commerce.

The Academy includes an induction and training programme for all new starters working within the Customer Service Centre to provide an insight into the role of a Customer Service Advisor.

Following the successful completion of the Academy, participants are interviewed for any vacancies within Tristar’s Customer Service Centre team.

Those who ‘enrol’ with The Academy are assisted by Pathway’s Personal Advisors, and other support services, to maximise employment opportunities within Tristar and outside organisations.

Kay Glew, Head of Housing Services for Tristar, said: “Our Pathways Academy is aimed at giving customers the skills and confidence to work in an office environment, particularly those that have not worked before or have been out of the workplace for some time.

“It’s an ideal way of gaining skills for future employability and is making a positive impact by helping tenants and residents find work. This is achieved by Pathways’ Personal Advisors helping them to build up their confidence and self-esteem, access training to enhance their skills, and find work experience to energise their CVs.”

The scheme also acts as a useful resource for the Company as it helps to pinpoint fully trained, job-ready staff for the Customer Service Centre.

Julie Armstrong, 53 from Stockton who has ‘graduated’ from The Academy, said: “’This course has been amazing, I have learnt so much about customer service and the variety of services and support that Tristar delivers to its customers.

“I feel so much more confident about working that I am now ready and have the skills to start working in a contact centre environment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Recognition PR Business Team .